Beginner Help - Slip Stitches

Hello! I am brand new to knitting and would love someone to help me better understand slip stitches and when they are used. My very first pattern was a simple stockinet scarf. I had to start over because I didn’t use a slip stitch at the beginning of each row so it just grew and grew lol! My second pattern is a winter hat. The pattern starts with Knit 1, Purl 1 and doesn’t mention a slip stitch at the beginning of each row? Should I still use one or not?

Welcome to KH and to knitting?
What is the name of your pattern and designer?
If your pattern doesn’t call for a slip stitch then there’s no need to add one. The fact that it’s knit in rows implies that it’s going to be seamed up the back. In that case it’s easier to seam without the slip stitch which carries over two rows. You can seam row by row if you don’t use a slip at the beginning of row.
A slip stitch does create a nice edge on a scarf however where you won’t need a seam.

On the problem of knitting growing, do you mean extra stitches as you work the rows so that your knitting gets wider and wider? This could be because you aren’t taking the yarn to the back under the needle before knitting the first knit stitch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW53D4HjAls

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Slip stitches are used for a variety of reasons. They can create a nice edge on something like a scarf. They can be used as part of a decrease (S1K1PSSO, or slip 1, knit one, pass the slipped stitch over).

They can create lovely 2-color patterns in a technique called Mosaic, which is possibly the easiest way to start into colorwork. In this image, the blue stitches were slipped so they show on top of the yellow stitches.
image

They can create a change in texture.
image

Here is more than you possibly need to know about slipping stitches in terms of construction:
https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/techniques-in-depth-knitters-on-the-edge-slipping-stitches/

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ahhh ok this makes so much sense! Thank you!!